The Orissa high court on Monday directed the state government to present before it the finalised policy for fishing in Chilika Lake within the next six months. The direction was issued after the government filed an affidavit indicating that it will come up with a new fishing policy for the water body. A draft policy is ready for approval and finalisation process, the affidavit stated.
State counsel D K Mohanty further submitted before the court that opinion from the district collectors and stakeholders on the draft policy is required. Besides, before finalising the policy views of concerned departments and the law department are to be considered.
After the finalisation of the policy, it will be placed before the state cabinet for deliberation and approval, Mohanty further submitted while seeking six months’ time for placing the policy before the court. The two-judge bench of Chief Justice S Muralidhar and Justice Gourishankar Satapathy allowed the plea but specified that while seeking opinion the traditional fishermen and the primary fishing cooperative societies (PFCSs) should be included among the stakeholders.
The court was hearing the petition filed by several PFCSs, seeking its intervention for permitting it to continue with its fishing activities in Chilika. The court had earlier asked the government to clear the air over formulation of a policy for fishing in Chilika. The court had made it clear that the ultimate objective was to have a policy formulated to cater to the demands of the traditional fishermen and professional fishermen (non-fishermen) operating in the area.